Celebration is Necessary

We celebrated the 4th of July in a difficult time that for various reasons felt less celebratory.  But, I want to highlight the need and power of celebration.  Not only in our country, but in our lives, and in our health we sometimes have difficult, scary, and emotionally charged times.  The anger, disappointment, and related emotions have constructive energy to move us to action and speaking out - BUT for them not to become incendiary we need celebration.

Celebration is a spotlight on what works, what you’ve done well, the rights you have, the love that exists, the good will that persists. It is those things that empower you to speak your truth, work on behalf of others, and commit to your better life.  Reminding yourself of what you already have, the battles you have already won, and the progress you have made is your foundation.  The more you strengthen your foundation by celebrating your assets, accomplishments, and rights, the more hope you have in transformation.  Hope is what keeps you going despite what is happening now.

When you take a moment to celebrate your good food choices - woo hoo!!! - the slip ups don’t take you back to I will never be able to to do this or this is too hard.  In outrage about politics, news, or life happenings -  celebrating the love, support, access that is there - liberates you to channel the energy of outrage into big and small gestures in the right direction.  

Sometimes problems or challenges seem to loom so much larger than your personal agency.  Never lose sight of the impact of small choices.  You cannot reverse heart disease in a day, but daily choices can lead to a 40 point cholesterol drop as one of our weekly meal plan clients experienced.  Racism is larger than you, but your kindness creates a difference for those you interact with which shifts the pendulum.   Women’s rights are challenged, but when you help another woman, volunteer, or tell your story you raise up all people.

I am the worst at stopping to celebrate.  I am too busy, or there is still so much more to do, or I am on to the next thing, but over time it burns me out, steals my zeal, and slows me down.  Over the last week, I committed to a celebration of where I am and where we are as a country. I feel refreshed, hopeful, and am able to not be in despair, but see how I can support women and community at this time.

Think about how you can improve your practice of celebration.  I encourage you to celebrate the heck out of life - this will do so much for your joy, effectiveness, and vigor. Birthdays, holidays, births, graduations, accomplishments, awards, anniversaries all are reasons to celebrate - a toast, a shout out, a special dinner, wearing your favorite outfit, even turning in early can be the celebration.  How will you celebrate?

Julia
​xo